As the new 'Dongjin' plan was completed, the military presented the plan they had established before King Sejong and the ministers.
The person who stepped forward to present the plan was Lee Jeong-Ok.
Wearing a red jeogori, Lee Jeong-Ok respectfully performed a military salute and began to speak.
"I am Lee Jeong-Ok, the judge. I will now report on the grand strategy 'Dongjin' planned by the Joseon Army General Staff."
Despite the hall being filled with the king, the crown prince, prime ministers, and ministers, Lee Jeong-Ok started his presentation with a calm voice.
"First, the Dongjin plan is divided into two major stages. In the first stage, the most immediate action will be to secure the foothold starting with Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River."
According to Lee Jeong-Ok's explanation, the plan began with securing the area south of Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River.
This involved either assimilating or exterminating the Jurchen tribes living in the region and resettling Joseon civilians there to firmly establish the foothold.
After that, the entire territory of the Oryangha tribe would be annexed, followed by an advance to the east.
"Why continue advancing to the east?"
In response to Sejong's question, Lee Jeong-Ok answered immediately.
"Firstly, the purpose is to avoid provoking the Ming.
Secondly, there are records that if we advance a bit further east from the Tumen River, we will reach the Great Forest region. We will secure timber and other necessary resources from this Great Forest region. Additionally, the connected coast and nearby islands are home to many valuable animals like seals, which we can use for trade."
"The Great Forest region…"
As Sejong pondered, Heung quickly interjected.
"Your Majesty, although there are many straight trees in our Joseon's mountains and fields, their numbers are not large."
"That's true."
Sejong nodded in agreement with Heung's statement, as wood was the most commonly used material in all aspects of the people's lives, including firewood.
"However, the Great Forest region is filled with giant trees that have grown for hundreds of years. For construction, as well as for ships used by the military and for trade, we need a lot of straight and dense wood. The giant trees in the Great Forest region are the best materials."
"Of course, reforestation projects are also essential."
Sejong nodded at Heung's explanation.
"That makes sense. So, I understand why we need to advance to the east. Then, what comes next?"
"Once we secure the Oryangha region and the Great Forest region east of the Tumen River, fully integrating them into our Joseon territory, we will enter the second stage."
Lee Jeong-Ok pointed to the Great Forest region on the map next to him and drew an imaginary line to the west.
"Using the Great Forest region as a base, we will gradually encroach on the territories of the Udige tribes from the east."
Pausing briefly, Lee Jeong-Ok gestured to a military official standing next to the map.
As the official turned the map, a new one appeared where part of the Jurchen region and all of Joseon were painted green.
"We will slowly but steadily encroach, ultimately securing at least half, and at most the entire territory of the Udige tribes. This is a brief overview."
"Hmm…"
After Lee Jeong-Ok's explanation, Sejong stroked his beard and looked at the map.
While Sejong was deep in thought, Yi Jik asked a question.
"The military is aware that the Oryangha tribe is divided between the Tumen River region and the west of Mount Baekdu. And there is the Odoli tribe in between. What will you do about this? Will you only attack the eastern Oryangha?"
"We will attack both the east and the west. This will put pressure on the Odoli tribe. We will force the Odoli tribe to choose: either submit to our Joseon or leave for the Haeseo or Jianzhou Jurchen regions. They must choose one of the two."
Yi Jik looked regretful at Lee Jeong-Ok's answer.
"The Odoli tribe was once loyal to us…."
* * *
The Odoli tribe, which controlled the upper regions of Mount Baekdu and the Tumen River, was once a Jurchen tribe that had pledged loyalty to Yi Seonggye and served as a strong defensive barrier for Joseon.
During Yi Seonggye's lifetime, the Odoli tribe was the most powerful ally defending Joseon's northern border.
However, as Emperor Yongle ascended the throne and Taejong gained power, the relationship between Joseon and the Odoli tribe changed.
Aha-chu, who became the commander of the Jianzhou Guard and was the father-in-law of Emperor Yongle, introduced Munteumur, the chief of the Odoli tribe, as his relative.
In response, Emperor Yongle sent envoys to Munteumur, ordering him to join the Ming court.
Taejong made various attempts to persuade Munteumur, even leading to conflicts with Emperor Yongle.
Munteumur chose the Ming over Joseon.
This led to a conflict with Taejong.
"I have served the Great King Taejo for over 20 years. I will continue to follow Joseon."
Although Munteumur said this to Taejong, he had joined the Ming court and received an official position.
Furthermore, through Emperor Yongle's imperial decree, Munteumur was able to retrieve his relatives who were held as hostages in Joseon.
With the situation like this, Taejong mobilized troops and massacred the tribes near Munteumur's territory.
Feeling threatened by Taejong's retaliatory measures, Munteumur led his family and moved from the Tumen River region to the Yalu River region.
Later, after Taejong's death and the resurgence of Mongol power, Munteumur led his family back to their original territory.
Upon his return, Munteumur proposed to send his son, Donggwandu, to join Sejong's court as a hostage, but Sejong refused.
He perceived them as potential defectors who might rely on the Ming's influence to betray Joseon again.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Minister of Rites was concerned about Ming intervention.
"Annexing the Oryangha region could provoke the Ming. We need a solid justification."
Before Lee Jeong-Ok could respond, Sejong spoke first.
"We have a justification. A very solid one. The region around Hweryeong and the Tumen River is where our royal family originated. We have left it unattended due to circumstances, but as descendants, how can we just leave it?"
Sejong's words were echoed by Hwang Hee.
"That's right! As descendants, how can we leave our ancestors' land in the hands of others? We must reclaim it!"
"Indeed. The Ming will have no grounds to object."
Convinced by Sejong and Hwang Hee's words, the Minister of Rites dropped his objection. He acknowledged that it was a reasonable justification.
However, the Minister of Rites raised another issue.
"Annexing the Oryangha region can be managed diplomatically, and advancing to the east is also acceptable. But, if we reverse and annex the wild Jurchen regions, won't it provoke the Ming?"
In response to the Minister of Rites' concern, Lee Jeong-Ok answered immediately.
"Through the first two stages, the regions we secure are those of tribes that relied on the shadow of the Great King Taejo. By emphasizing this and promising not to encroach on the Haeseo and Jianzhou Jurchen territories, the Ming will have no grounds to object. Although the Ming has declared the Jurchen land as part of their territory, their influence does not extend to the easternmost regions, does it?"
The court officials all nodded in agreement with Lee Jeong-Ok's words.
Just as Joseon suffered from Jurchen raids, the Ming was also suffering similarly.
While the Ming tried to control the Jurchen by granting official positions and wealth to influential Jurchen tribes to block others, the regions inhabited by the Jurchen were not fully integrated.
Lee Jeong-Ok continued.
"The military is fully aware that we must avoid conflict with the Ming.
As mentioned in various military treatises and by the Great King Taejo, a small country should avoid war with a large country at all costs.
That is why we are excluding Haeseo and Jianzhou. This is the best course of action for the military.
The rest is a matter of diplomacy."
Mang Sa-seong then spoke up.
"I understand the diplomatic aspect. However, the most challenging part of diplomacy is when the other party is highly tense. How much time does the military estimate it will take to complete this strategy?"
"About 10 years to complete the first stage, and a total of 30 years to complete the second stage."
"A total of 30 years…"
"That's why I call it a grand strategy."
Sejong and the ministers looked troubled at Lee Jeong-Ok's answer.
'30 years… Can I see it before I die?'
Sejong, thinking about his lifespan, looked at Heung, who was standing below the dais.
Recalling how Heung often chanted 'Bulgi' (health) and was concerned about his health, Sejong chuckled.
'Right! With a child who cares so much about my health! I will live long! Even if I don't live long, the Joseon under this child will be stronger than it is now!'
With his resolve firm, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"I will command the ministers."
"We will listen attentively, Your Majesty!"
"I order the implementation of the grand strategy 'Dongjin' for the growth of our Joseon. However, you must not act hastily and must proceed with caution."
"Understood, Your Majesty!"
* * *
With Sejong's decision to implement the grand strategy Dongjin, the discussion shifted to detailed policy coordination.
"What is the most important thing needed to succeed in this strategy?"
In response to Sejong's question, Choi Yun-deok answered.
"People and budget."
"Burp!"
The moment the word 'budget' was mentioned, Minister of Revenue Kim Jeom reflexively burped and received glares from the other ministers.
"Tsk tsk tsk… It seems the Minister of Revenue is in poor health. I will inform the royal physician."
"Your kindness is boundless, Your Majesty!"
While Kim Jeom expressed gratitude, his face was a picture of distress.
'Tsk tsk tsk… I will have to suffer to pay for the medicine.'
'This official must stay healthy… If the Minister of Revenue's position becomes vacant, it will be dangerous.'
'I must send some tonics to the Minister of Revenue’s house.'
This was the simultaneous thought of the surrounding ministers.
* * *
As the discussion progressed, all the high and low officials worked hard, but the hardest-working were the Minister of Revenue and those working in the Ministry of Revenue.
Ironically, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were the most supportive of Sejong's strategy. Their reasoning was simple.
'If the strategy succeeds as planned, the Ministry of Revenue will be split into several departments! Promotion will be guaranteed! Just wait and see! They will all be dead!'
While the officials of the Ministry of Revenue held out hope for the future, the Deputy Minister and the Minister of Revenue relied on 'medicine' to endure.
This was not a metaphor but a reality.
The Minister of Revenue's and Deputy Minister's houses were overflowing with tonics, not only from Sejong but also from other ministers and deputy ministers.
"Sir, it seems that His Majesty and the other officials care for you deeply."
The officials themselves smiled dryly at their wives' words.
'The medicine from His Majesty is to make me pay for it, and the medicine from other ministers is to make me endure and not pass the hat to them!'